making stainless headers

[VOC67]

Anyone got tips on making own headers? Do the tubes all need to be the same length? Welding skills I have no worry about its getting everything lined up and who I can get the flanges from. I have a 67 camaro with a tall deck and currently have the super comp hookers. I am worried about the fitment around the power steering and ground clearance. Super low stance. I would like to make them in stainless but not sure where to get the flanges in stainless??? Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks

[homerneedspeed]

http://icengineworks.com/icewmain.htm
depending on how many you do this could make your life a whole lot easier. they are a header modeling block set i fould advertised in the current issue of Racecar Engineering. they are a company in texas and have a great product on their hand for fabricators, car clubs or rich guys who like to collect cool tools, someone from PHR needs to make this into a product showcase.

[chicane67]

Visit the Stahl and Burns Stainless header web sites. They both offer tons of header theory and write ups on designs and applications.

[gc427]

Check out these guys. They sell flanges and bends in stainless and various other materials.

http://www.spdexhaust.com/

http://www.burnsstainless.com/

[ProStreet R/T]

http://icengineworks.com/icewmain.htm
depending on how many you do this could make your life a whole lot easier. they are a header modeling block set i fould advertised in the current issue of Racecar Engineering. they are a company in texas and have a great product on their hand for fabricators, car clubs or rich guys who like to collect cool tools, someone from PHR needs to make this into a product showcase.

Thats a neat idea but I do not see the value in $1650 for some fancy delrin legos. To me it seems like something aimed towards the average joe who is not so experienced in tube fitment, and it's way out of the price range for most. Call me crazy, I think it's a great idea, but fundamentally unnecessary for those who would be willing to spend the $$$.

[parsonsj]

Anyone got tips on making own headers?

I wrote an article about my experience making a set. You might find some useful pointers here: http://carcraft.com/howto/0304_head/

jp

[Tom Nelson]

One Trick To Reduce Some Warpage Is Run A Thick Mild Steel Flange And Stainless Tubes With The Right Rod I've Found It Reduces Alot Of The Warping At The Head Flange.i Also Like Steel Channel To Bolt To For A Jig When You Weld It .the Channel Holds Everything In-line

[BRIAN]

Since you already have the Hookers why not just modify the tube and get differnt collectors? Just like anything you get better with practice. Is this a car you want to practice on?

[VOC67]

kinda want to do stainless and I guess making a set just to say I made them would be cool

[rohrt]

I hope you have a tig and experience with stainless.

[VOC67]

Long time and avid tig user and to me stainless is easy compared to exotic metals. Welding isnt the task Im worried about, its the fitment and all the knowledge of equal length, tube diameter for torque etc. Anyone used inconel 625 or titanium for header tubing? Would love to hear any comments. Would love to try either one but so $$.

[parsonsj]

stainless is easy compared to exotic metals

I've found that, other than the back-purging requirements, stainless is even easier to weld than mild steel.

jp

[chicane67]

Yes it is.......... and Inconel is even easier.

[VOC67]

I would really like to use Inconel. Anyone know of prices and availability? I know titanium is really out of my buget but the look would be awesome!!

[Matt@RFR]

If you can't afford Titanium, you definetely can't afford Inconel.

[Tiger]

Burns has Inconel, they dont write the price in their catalog though.
I bought a 304 weldup set from stainless works but havent put it together yet.

[FabUThis]

SPD or BURNS has every thing you need. SPD cnc cuts their flanges so they are flat to start with. A piece of channel works for a welding fixture . If you fit the tube tight in the flange you can fuse the inside. You can silicone bronze the outside of the flange then your not killing it with heat . Kits are nice but you'll probaly need some extra pieces .

[ProStreet R/T]

SPD is GREAT, just got some collectors in for the new project. Their quality, craftsmanship, and speed of delivery is amazing.



























and just to give you a perspective of size. Just wait till there is a T6 flange on the end of that

[alstainlessworks]

For exhaust components, give us a call at 800-878-3635. We will beat Burns or SPD in prices, and we stock u bends, j's, 45's and 90's as well as formed collectors, merge collectors, and we laser cut in house-we stock 4-5 diferent styles of small block chevy flanges-d port, full round, tall oval, square, etc.

Thanks
Al
Stainless Works
800-878-3635
www.stainlessworks.net